Friday, September 9, 2011

Proverbs 10:18

"Hiding hatred makes you a liar;
        slandering others makes you a fool."
 
 
If you feel hatred, pretending it's not there only compounds the problem by pretending it's not there. So, what should you do? Admit it to yourself and God, and pray for a change of heart. Pray for the other person, too, as Jesus instructed. Don't let your hatred turn to slander, which can easily happen if you don't deal with it. Then you'd be a fool on top of a liar. Living in truth is always God's way.

Thursday, September 8, 2011

Matthew 19:13–15

"One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so he could lay his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering him.
 
      But Jesus said, 'Let the children come to me. Don't stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.' And he placed his hands on their heads and blessed them before he left."
 
 
The disciples thought Jesus should not be "bothered" by children. But Jesus welcomed the children. He told his disciples that those children provided a picture of what it's like to be in God's Kingdom. Why does the Kingdom belong to those who are like these children? Because being in God's Kingdom means realizing you are in fact God's own child! Jesus revealed God as Father, his Father. Through him, God is our Father too. We are children of God seeking a blessing from Jesus. That is your true identity! That stance is what Jesus blesses.

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Exodus 8:1

"Then the LORD said to Moses, 'Go back to Pharaoh and announce to him, "This is what the LORD says: Let my people go, so they can worship me."'"
 
 
God's plan was to free his people from their slavery. He wanted not just to free them from something, but free them to do something: worship him. That is the true goal. Remember that God does not merely save you from sin. The point is to save you from sin so that you may have a relationship with him, as creature to Creator. He wants a relationship where he is first and foremost. The point is worship—a response on our part to who he is and what he has done. Is your spiritual life a continual response to God?

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Proverbs 10:17

"People who accept discipline are on the pathway to life,but those who ignore correction will go astray."
 
 
How open are you to "course corrections" (i.e., discipline)? Unpleasant as it is to be told we're wrong, to be warned, or to be rebuked, such course corrections are important to heed. Ignoring them could lead you astray. Always remain open to God showing you that you're on the wrong path. It will keep you from taking a wrong turn and suffering the consequences.

Monday, September 5, 2011

Exodus 7:10-13

"So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and did what the LORD had commanded them. Aaron threw down his staff before Pharaoh and his officials, and it became a serpent! Then Pharaoh called in his own wise men and sorcerers, and these Egyptian magicians did the same thing with their magic. They threw down their staffs, which also became serpents! But then Aaron's staff swallowed up their staffs. Pharaoh's heart, however, remained hard. He still refused to listen, just as the LORD had predicted."
 
 
Pharaoh's magicians could do many of the same miracles Moses and Aaron did. Pharaoh could find another explanation and harden his heart. People looking at what you say God is doing in your life may not be impressed. They may come up with other explanations for the supernatural. Persevere anyway, and don't doubt. Remember: Aaron's snake swallowed up the magicians'. The true God always has the last word.